Patterns, fabric, art, paper and things I like

'Splitting the Pattern' - an exciting new project!

2011-12-01T07:48:00.000-08:00

Today was my first day back to work after 6 months maternity leave. I met my colleagues at the Back to Backs in Birmingham and they introduced me to Husnara Bibi and Graeme Storey (a paper conservationist). Art department staff and students at Newman University College will be working with Husnara during this wallpaper conservation project which will culminate in an exhibition.

Today we watched Graeme start to separate layers of wallpaper apart using water baths and sprays - please check back for further updates!

More about the project here -
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/uk/centralengland/740624/Paper-chase-around-Britain.html

I've shut up shop!

2011-11-15T04:43:00.000-08:00

I've shut my Etsy shop for now - am concentrating on my surface design work - please take a look at my new website!

http://sarahbagshaw.webeden.co.uk/

Spring has sprung!

2011-03-25T06:55:00.000-07:00

Lovely warm weather for the past few days in the UK, long may it continue!! I feel like having a ramble today.....I'm 7 months pregnant and starting to stress now, about the birth and the looking after it bit afterwards too! I need more sleep but my two boys put a halt to that - off to their school disco tonight! I'm trying to get everything sorted at work before my maternity leave but all I want to do is paint and sleeeeep! Rant over, thanks for listening - here's some of my latest Etsy items for sale!

New Etsy items

2011-03-08T14:18:00.000-08:00

I'm still building up my Etsy shop, here's the latest small pieces for sale there! (http://www.etsy.com/shop/SarahBeeIllustration?ref=pr_shop_more)

My new Etsy shop!

2011-02-22T08:20:00.000-08:00

Hi All,
I've just opened an Etsy shop (http://www.etsy.com/shop/SarahBeeIllustration) and have a few of my pattern drawings on there for starters - please take a look!

Sketchbook work

2011-02-01T06:16:00.001-08:00

I just like this.

Latest cover of Eggmag and last one too!

2011-01-28T05:27:00.000-08:00

London's Eggmag publication..I've also illustrated an article about cloud spotting in the latest 'White' Issue which I'll post when I get my hard copy.

Illustration to be on the cover of EggMag.

2010-10-12T02:37:00.000-07:00

I am chuffed to say that my illustration will be on the front cover of the next issue of EggMag the London Eco magazine. Its available in certain London pubs, cafes and bars....

Children's book illustration course - my last two submissions

2010-08-20T02:10:00.000-07:00

Just posting up my latest submissions for the children's book illustration course I'm doing at the moment.

Selling my vintage Clothkits Doll!

2010-05-13T14:34:00.000-07:00

Hi All, thought I'd post this piece of my childhood up!
My Mum made this doll when she was pregnant with my younger brother and gave it to me when he was born so I didn't feel left out!! Of course, being an ungrateful brat all I really wanted was a Barbie - but I grew to love her!!
Mum has been clearing the garage and I have decided to wave goodbye!

For more info check out the listing here!

Latest Children's Book Illustration completed.

2010-04-20T12:36:00.000-07:00

Just completed my latest assignment, 'Seb's under the sink city'

A wedding gift for Lisa

2010-03-26T06:46:00.000-07:00

My friend Lisa is getting married today. I didn't have a clue what to get her so I made the happy couple a drawing, played with it on Photoshop and framed it. I'm pleased with it, just hope they are!!

Love themed greetings cards

2010-03-26T05:57:00.000-07:00

Recent submissions for the last 'Love Typography' competition at Tigerprint

Seb's Sink City - a bit further on!

2010-03-23T08:54:00.000-07:00

With eyes on monsters, eyes peeping in and a light source now. Still needs more work though!

Brief I'm working on right now.

2010-03-19T06:19:00.000-07:00

I'm studying a course in Children's Book Illustration and am mid-way through assignment brief 2, Seb's Sink City...about a boy who is looking under the sink and sees a little world of creatures and things going on.
I'm doing this collage and Photoshop piece and will probably do a hand drawn submission too. There's still lots to be done on this but here it is so far!

Competition results!

2010-03-07T13:17:00.000-08:00

Am over the moon with being a runner up in the Pica Pica magazine cover competition!
Well done to Stephanie Baxter for winning the competition.....in fact well done everyone!!
x

Pica Pica competition entry

2010-02-26T13:09:00.000-08:00

Have just submitted an entry for the craft magazine Pica Pica's illustration competition.
Here's my entry....a combination of hand drawn, collage and Photoshop.

MANNERS FOR MODERNS by Gilda Lund, illustrated by Kenneth Reilly

2010-02-25T08:18:00.000-08:00

The library at my workplace is having a clear out, when my colleague found a beauty of a book! Take a peek! I think it might actually be worth reading - all about etiquette in 1964!

Drawn/digital flowers

2010-02-12T05:47:00.000-08:00

Drawn flowers manipulated on Photoshop using scanned in fabrics from my collection!

Playing with paper!

2010-02-04T11:00:00.000-08:00

I'm trying to develop characters, I suppose with children's books in mind.
After drawing, printing, burning leather etc I'm enjoying cutting up ex-library books and creating creatures....here's my first two!

LEATHER BIRDS!

2010-01-27T07:57:00.000-08:00

Still burning into leather......

Experimenting with leather!!

2010-01-27T06:49:00.000-08:00

We've got all these leather samples at work, so I thought I'd have a go at using my pyrography tool on them. It is more successful on the reverse of the leather and although it stinks I like the result.....

Papa Albert - Gioia Fiammenghi

2010-01-15T10:54:00.000-08:00

Just found a nicely illustrated book in a charity shop for 50p!
Papa Albert written by Lilian Moore and illustrated by Gioia Fiammenghi, published in 1964.

I love the pen and wash work...haven't actually read it yet!!

New studio!

2010-01-11T07:52:00.001-08:00

Well, I've finally taken the plunge and sorted myself out a studio.....this means I have to be serious about developing a portfolio for illustration...and I'm a bit scared!
Will post some pics when I've settled in.

More of the same!

2009-12-30T10:51:00.001-08:00

Sketchbook stuff again...

2009-12-30T10:47:00.001-08:00

New sketchbook work

2009-12-27T00:17:00.001-08:00

I've just started a distance course in Children's Book Illustration and am fiddling about working on the first brief, here's bits from my sketchbook which include monoprints, lino prints and drawing.....just got to do the whole composition as a double spread.

Gavin Perry

2009-12-26T12:53:00.000-08:00

Great images, they look like they're produced using some kind of printmaking technique but I think they're all done using Photoshop. Whatever, I think they're bloody lovely!

Gisela Goppel

2009-12-26T12:40:00.000-08:00

Lovely work, I particularly like her fluid use of blank ink to make her drawings..

Sandra Krumin's lino work

2009-12-26T12:24:00.000-08:00

I love Sandra's striking illustration work which uses a combination of lino cutting and digital techniques.

Here's some of my favourites!

...and a couple more!

2009-12-26T10:12:00.000-08:00

Trainer/shoe paintings

2009-12-26T10:08:00.001-08:00

Made these paintings a few years ago, some have been sold, some given away..... now I'm building up an illustration portfolio I must get back into drawing shoes as I forgot how much I loved it!!

Sarah Gooch - illustrator

2009-12-26T09:02:00.000-08:00

Having received the Big Book of Contemporary Illustration for Xmas I'm adding some work that has caught my eye, starting with Sarah Gooch.

I love her drawing style and use of colour and collage, here's one of her gorgeous animal screenprints.

Children's book illustration

2009-11-24T12:56:00.000-08:00

I've recently become interested in illustration - mainly children's books, I suppose through reading with my own children and seeing them draw.

I'm going to start collecting images of my favourites, new and old, so watch this space!

Nick Cave - no not the musician

2009-10-16T15:09:00.000-07:00

Found some of his work in Fiber Arts too......looking forward to reading up about him and learning more!!

Fiber Arts

2009-10-16T14:59:00.000-07:00

My new issue of Fiber Arts arrived today from the US and its got some cracking stuff in.....just going to post a few artists featured in there....Xenobia Bailey for starters with her huge crocheted pieces that aren't dissimilar to the paintings of Beatriz Milhazes. Watch this space, will keep adding some great work!!

An Artist a Day

2009-10-12T13:45:00.000-07:00

I love this blog, it brings a new artist/craftsperson/designer to your computer (via its Blog or Facebook page) everyday!

I've been a bit lazy keeping up to date on my blog, mainly because my own practice/research has changed focus....so I'm going to try and pass on any interesting work I find on Artist a Day site...will post some pics/links shortly.

Cripes, the 'summer' is almost over and there's so much to do.....

2009-08-26T13:36:00.000-07:00

.....I've got five days left to see the Banksy show in Bristol ( I doubt it'll get done!) but on the upside the Pattern Recognition show in Leicester is on until October, hoorah!

$20 art site - I'm thinking Xmas presents already!

2009-07-15T12:32:00.000-07:00

20x200 A great US site that promotes and sells contemporary art prints for $20 each.
So if you don't want the same high st or big blue and yellow store images on your walls, take a look at this - affordable cool stuff!!
Obviously if you're not in the US, postage costs more but still incredibly great value for money!

The beautiful piece here is by Valerie Roybal

Paintings for sale!

2009-07-10T15:54:00.000-07:00

Having a clear out....these paintings were made and exhibited last year. I have sold three but have these two left and want to make some space!
The blue one is approx 3ft x 3ft and the red one 3ft x 4ft, both acrylic on canvas, on Strong, well made stretchers.
The blue number is up for sale at £150 and the red £200, but am open to offers!
RED PAINTING NOW SOLD.

Yellena James

2009-07-05T12:34:00.000-07:00

My friend pointed me in the direction of Yellena James
..incredible, gorgeous drawings.....and she sells on Etsy Hmmm, she has a sale on, might have to treat myself!!

Lucy McLauchlan

2009-07-04T01:25:00.000-07:00

Saw Lucy's work on a large scale as part of the 'Outsiders' exhibition last year, she's a local gal to me (Birmingham, UK). Great to see a young female artist doing so well - here's her website

Heike Weber

2009-07-03T14:33:00.000-07:00

Wow, have just found this work...excited about finding out more!!!
One of my students is going to explode when she sees this!!!
Another artist I might contact with a view to interviewing for my research, all being well!
Utopia indeed!

Lisa Solomon

2009-07-03T14:03:00.000-07:00

I love Lisa's work which (to me!) crosses boundaries between textiles, illustration, craft and design....she's kindly offered to help me out with my future PhD research and I can't wait to pick her brains! Check out her website here and her great blog here

Piper Shepard

2009-07-03T13:55:00.000-07:00

Hand-cut, yes hand-cut!!!!!

When I thought Michael Jackson was God's gift....

2009-06-29T08:08:00.000-07:00

As I see more and more stuff on TV about him, I think back to the days when he really was great and I loved him!

My new website - please take a look!

2009-06-22T11:38:00.001-07:00

Had a go alongside my year 4 students at making my first website - please take a look, I'd appreciate any constructive comments!

http://www.newman.ac.uk/Students_Websites/~s.bagshaw/Index.html

PS Best viewed in Internet Explorer!

Papercut installation at the New Art Gallery Walsall. August 08

2009-05-22T13:03:00.000-07:00

This was my work exhibited at the New Art Gallery Walsall in August 2008, the culmination of the Artist Teacher Scheme.

Some recent work.

2009-04-29T01:51:00.001-07:00

Have been experimenting with cutting up heavy duty polythene instead of opaque paper. Think I prefer the paper as shadows are cast onto it as well as the wall but still worth a go. It hangs nicely and is much more durable!

Patterns on insides of security envelopes

2009-04-18T16:03:00.000-07:00

I've been using old envelopes and other bits of waste paper in my work. The patterns on the inside of the envelopes make a subtle but real difference so am going to research them further.

Started by finding a great collection of images on Flickr by Joseph King.

Tara Donovan

2009-03-23T11:58:00.000-07:00

An amazing artist transforming the everyday into extraordinary installations and environments. This image shows a piece constructed from styrofoam cups.

TSANG Kin-Wah

2009-02-27T06:55:00.000-08:00

Image of the artist installing his pattern work and one of the finished item for Shu Uemura, Costa Mesa, California, 2006.

Planning for my PHD proposal

2009-02-13T07:18:00.000-08:00

Thought I'd do some writing on my blog today, to help me focus a wee bit I suppose.
I really need to pull my finger out now in terms of doing an initial proposal towards what will be my actual proposal.....and already I'm stumped!

I know that I want to do a practice based PHD..but don't quite know how that will manifest itself...perhaps along these lines - For the past 15 or so years I have made pattern based work. I was painting, but since re-engaging with contemporary art and my own work through the Artist Teacher Scheme at BCU and New Art Gallery, I have begun to make installations using cut paper.

Anyway, for a long time I have struggled to locate my work within a fine art context. Obviously I am interested and inspired by many artists but am also very influenced by printed textile design - but have no desire to print fabrics. I also love interior design and decoration as well as contemporary illustration and grafitti.
To put it in a nutshell, my influences are eclectic!!
Although I make work that I want to be aesthetically pleasing, I am not heavily into aesthetical theories...yet.

I am thinking about researching the possible locations for my work, putting it into a range of contexts - Fine art, interior decoration and craft for example. The reason I mention craft also is that my work has to fit around a full-time job and my family and is in a way very repetitive (although I feel it is therapeutic)...does this make it a craft practice? Who knows? Is craft still seen as a lower 'art form' than fine art? Is there anything wrong with creating pieces that are purely decorative or ornamental and could be placed in a domestic setting?

I have so many questions, which if is a good thing I guess....now I just have to try and make sense of it all.......

Hmmmmmm, think this ramble has helped a bit, thanks for listening!

Yuko Nishimura - Paper folding

2009-02-13T06:33:00.001-08:00

WOW, BRILLIANT PAPER FOLDING ARTIST, LIKE BRIDGET RILEY IN RELIEF!

FILIGREE WORK BY CARSON FOX

2009-02-07T01:38:00.000-08:00

"My series of “filigree” sculpture was originally inspired by Victorian hair sculpture and jewelry. Historically, these objects were crafted out of the hair of a deceased loved one and acted as a memento of the departed. My own sculptural works are elaborately crafted tapestries of delicate, hair-thin wire that bring to mind lace work on a large scale. Often these objects are hung in such a way that allows the resulting shadows to become important elements of the work. In these sculptures, while the decorative patterning may soothe, the hair like materials impart a sense of dread and mourning."

MARIMEKKO

2009-02-01T01:30:00.000-08:00

MARIMEKKO PRINT SPRING 2009

Julie Chang

2009-01-30T08:07:00.001-08:00

SARAH BAGSHAW - NEW WORK

2009-01-08T10:47:00.001-08:00

My favourite gallery!

2009-01-06T06:53:00.001-08:00

I love the New Art Gallery Walsall and not just because its down the road!

Michael Porter

2009-01-05T05:53:00.000-08:00

Michael makes the most beautiful paintings I have ever seen....I saw them in the Mead gallery at Warwick arts Centre back in 1991 while on my art foundation course and the experience has stuck with me ever since.

Ross Bleckner

2009-01-05T05:46:00.000-08:00

Hew Locke

2009-01-05T04:56:00.000-08:00

Fabric - some of my collection

2009-01-05T03:38:00.000-08:00

Reed Anderson

2009-01-05T03:37:00.001-08:00

Joshua Krause

2008-12-30T07:27:00.000-08:00

First noticed Joshua's work on MySpace a while ago and it just keeps getting better and better. a real inspiration! You can see his work on www.krauseart.com but I prefer viewing a larger body of work at myspace.com/joshuakrause

MY OWN ARTWORK - FABRIC BURNS

2008-12-30T02:52:00.000-08:00

Experimental work made over the last couple of months.

MY OWN ARTWORK - PAPERCUTS 1 - ARTIST TEACHER SCHEME (AUGUST '08)

2008-12-30T02:35:00.000-08:00

These images are taken from the final ATS show at The New Art Gallery Walsall where I produced a video piece and a large rotating papercut installation.

Genevieve Dionne

2008-12-30T02:29:00.000-08:00

I particularly like the wood burns as I've been using the same pyrography tool to burn fabric.

AMIE DICKE

2008-12-29T10:57:00.000-08:00

SELVEDGE MAGAZINE

2008-12-29T10:37:00.000-08:00

http://www.selvedge.org/default.aspx

Ali B's blog...

2008-12-29T08:57:00.000-08:00

Take a look at Top Rankin'!

MY OWN ARTWORK - Paintings

2008-12-28T15:19:00.000-08:00

An exhibition of my paintings made whilst on the Artist Teacher Scheme run by NSEAD, BCU and the New Art Gallery Walsall last year.

The exhibition was held at Newman University College (where I work) and included paintings by myself and my colleague, Hannah Hames.

I bought this book yesterday, gorgeous!!

2008-12-28T14:16:00.001-08:00

Illustration Play - a real range of artists' and designers' work, beautifully put together, really inspirational.

ANDREAS KOCKS

2008-12-28T14:06:00.000-08:00

Beautiful work....

Fabulous lampshade!

2008-12-28T12:49:00.001-08:00

Richard Sweeney and Liam Hopkins of Manchester-based design studio Lazerian have designed a light shade made from modular, birch plywood components.

SOME OF MY MANY INFLUENCES....WILL KEEP ADDING TO THIS!

2008-12-28T11:27:00.000-08:00

From the top -
Sonia Delaunay, Lucienne Day, Joana Vasconcelos, Beatriz Milhazes, Bridget Riley.

CHRIS NATROP - PAPER ARTIST

2008-12-28T11:19:00.001-08:00

Would love this guy to bring his work over to the UK!